Those with memory loss in the region have been given a helping hand.
A new home for the Port Macquarie office of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW has been officially opened, offering support to sufferers and their families and carers.
As co-convenor of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Dementia, Independent Member for Port Macquarie, Peter Besseling, said the centre provided a valuable service to the local community, a service that, unfortunately, would be in even greater demand within the next decade.
“The reason I feel so strongly amount dementia is because it affects more people in our community than almost every other region in the State,” Mr Besseling said.
“There are about 1600 people living with dementia in our electorate, the second highest number of any community in NSW.
“Sadly, that figure is set to explode, jumping 300 per cent by 2050 to more than 6100 people,” Mr Besseling said.
“This is a disease that not only steals people’s memories, it robs families of their loved ones long before the condition claims their lives. Tragically, at this point in time, there is no cure.
“This wonderful centre will help people diagnosed with this terrible disease to cope with what health experts predict will become the number one killer of Australians within 20 years.
“The centre will be a tower of strength to families and carers, providing important information on memory loss, available services in our community and important advice.
“Congratulations to the centre’s regional co-ordinator Gary Thomas and his dedicated team for their efforts in trying to make life a little easier and less frightening for those people diagnosed with dementia, and I trust this new centre will help make the staff’s lives a little easier as they attempt to meet one of the great health challenges of our time.”
The centre’s new home received $10,284 in the latest round of the Community Building Partnership program.
